John Maravilla

John Maravilla, 103, beloved father, and friend to many, passed away on July 12, 2025 in Lakewood, CO. Born June 16th 1922 in Mexico and baptized as Francisco Alvarado, John crossed in to the United States with his mother at the age of five. He took the name John Maravilla when he started grade school. After graduating from Centennial High School in Pueblo in 1942, he was drafted to serve in the army during WWII. He was assigned to the Army Corp of Engineers, ultimately serving in Burma as a Supply Sergeant, maintaining the Burma Road. While in the army, he was naturalized as a US citizen in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and as part of the naturalization process, he formally adopted the name John Maravilla.

He retired from the Pueblo Army Depot after working there for thirty one years. Not ready to relax, he worked for the City of Pueblo for ten years, first in their maintenance department and then as security at the Pueblo Airport. He was an active member of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic church while living in Pueblo. His pastimes included gardening, listening to classical music, traveling and a lifelong fascination with learning. He earned a certificate as a Master Gardener from Colorado State College Extension Services.

John was predeceased by his mother Maria Francisca Plascencia Rosas, son Carl, step son Rudy Oliva and both his first wife; Celia M Diaz and second wife, Carmen Oliva. He is survived by his children; Lucille (Jim Free), John M (Roberta Aguilar-Maravilla), Ernest (Kathleen Taylor-Maravilla), Tom (Mike Meischke), Phil, Michele (John White), and son-in-law Henri Faucher; step children Albert Oliva (Gloria), Marie (Richard Costelo), Cynthia (Ruben Padilla), Valerie (Greg Resendes), Fred Oliva (Cathy), and their families; grandchildren Juan D Maravilla, Francisco Maravilla, Jonathan Taylor, Lindsay Taylor (Oswaldo Saucedo), Benjamin Seestone, and Juan Carlos Vera; great grandchildren Gabriel Maravilla, Aiden Vera, Caydance Vera, Paige Taylor, Hope Taylor, Sierra Taylor, Tiffany (Bobby Bautista), Mia Saucedo and Aidan Saucedo; great great grandchildren Alexander Taylor, Aubrey Bautista and Brooklyn Bautista.

Private graveside services and inurnment will be held at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo.